Fall To Pieces(64)

“Will you go already,” Linda smirked. “And stop worrying, it’s not my first time, you know.”

I smiled apologetically.

“Thank you so much,” I said, suddenly feeling really guilty. “Maybe, I shouldn’t…”

“Yes, you should,” Linda commanded, shooing me from the room. “We will see you both in the morning. Go and enjoy being young and in love.”

I smiled to myself, feeling deliriously happy.

Enjoying Kyle Carter, was exactly what I intended to do.





*****





Turning my key in the front door of our house, I was thrumming with excitement.

Tonight was the night.

I had it all planned with days.

I was going to ask Kyle to repeat the question.

I was ready, he was ready. It was time.

I ran upstairs and changed into the sexy red babydoll and matching suspenders I’d bought the other day.

I let my curls down-Kyle loved my hair down, and applied my makeup.

Running downstairs, I went in search of the duct tape he’d told me to get.

I had no intention of using it, but I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when he thought I had…

Bounding into the kitchen, I went straight to the knick-knack drawer and started rummaging.



“Hello Delia.”

I spun around and froze, my heart dropped.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”





*****





Kyle





I grinned over at Derek as I turned my car onto Thirteenth Street.

“So, what’s your plan for after summer?” I asked.

Derek sighed and shook his head. “I have no fucking clue. My original plan was to move back to Idaho; my brother needs help with running the business, and all my family are there, but…”

“Camryn,” I guessed, knowing full well that Cam was the only reason Derek was contemplating his future.

Derek had his future mapped out clearly since he was eighteen years old; go to college, get his degree, then head home to join the family business.

“I don’t know, Der,” I said. “Maybe if you give her some time, she’d see what she was missing, and come to her senses.”

Derek shook his head in surprise. “No, dude, you’ve got it wrong, she’s not why I’m thinking about staying. I mean, sure, I love Cam and a part of me probably always will, but I know when a ship has sailed. And me and Cam, well, as good as it was, I can’t force her to love me. In a way I’ve always known that I wasn’t the one for her. Besides, even if she did want to start back up, I don’t think I could ever get past the whole…Mike thing.”

I didn’t understand a word he was saying. My head couldn’t grasp it.

“Derek, you’ve been miserable with months. You love her; I watched how badly you handled the breakup. I had the fucking hangover to show for it.”

“Yeah, I guess I didn’t take it too well,” he chuckled. “I’m okay with it now though.”

“That’s good, man. I’m happy for you.”

I was glad Derek had found some semblance of peace. He deserved to be happy.

“Are you happy, Kyle?”

I thought about my two girls and nodded. “Yeah, I’m happy.”

I’d never been happier in my life. I had a beautiful daughter, and an amazing woman.

Derek patted me on the shoulder. “See now, that’s exactly why I’m not ready to move back home. I feel like I’ve got an investment in that kid. She needs her Uncle Derek around, especially when her parents’ decide to go bat shit crazy on each other.”

I laughed at his comment.

“No man, Lee and I are solid now; nothing is going to tear us apart again. Those days are behind us. But seriously, if you’re thinking of staying, I’d be thrilled….”

My words trailed off as we rounded our street, and flashing lights and sirens greeted us.

Our house was surrounded by dozens of vehicles and crowds of people.

Slamming on the brakes, I jumped out of the car and ran.





*****





Lee





In the movies, when the villain pulls a gun out, a hero bursts into the room and saves the girl.

I knew that wouldn’t be the case for me.

I wasn’t going to be saved, I was going to die.

Rachel held the gun steadily in her hand, pointing the barrel directly at my chest, and in that moment, my only thought was, thank god, I’d dropped Hope off with Linda, before coming home.

I was going to die, but my baby was safe.

“Please, don’t do this, Rachel,” I begged, knowing it was pointless to beg for my life from a woman so intent on destroying it, that she’d spent the last twelve months executing attempt after vicious attempt at ending me.

But the will to live, the overpowering, maternal urge to stay alive for my daughter, meant that I would say and do anything to survive this.